Love is in the air, and we’re feeling it thanks to the great feedback from our many happy members! Check out a few of the latest and greatest social media reviews praising our amazing team members, affordable shared office space, and the best office rental value in Tampa, Florida (ok we may be a little biased there). Still not convinced? Be sure to take a look at some awesome success stories from local entrepreneurs. With CoCreativ, you’ll see the difference of our family style community no matter what stage of business growth you’re in.

“Well I rented here for one year while my corporate office was doing renovations. It was so easy to work with them! Very professional and kind. The office is private and secure and always looking beautiful. Communication was easy and Jason and Joseph are truly great guys and want make sure every need is taken care of and that I felt at home in my temporary office. If I had to choose a private office to rent again I would gladly contact them and refer people to them. thank you !” – Donna Delmar, 5/5 stars

“The staff and the space are wonderful. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with CoCreativ. If I even need the location again, I would definitely sign up. My only reason for leaving is that I no longer need an office in South Tampa.” – Melissa Bailey, Psy.D., 5/5 stars

“I recently attended a business owner event here. The space and the people were great. I loved the alive and vibrant feel that was fully professional and welcoming.” – Dianne Allen, 5/5 stars

“Awesome location, and awesome concept for a small business looking to grow. Very professional location, and Joseph and Jason are really great guys abd wasy to work with. Don't work from home -- get away from all of the distractions and come to CoCreativ!” – Jeff Norvell, 5/5 stars

Our Facebook community has shared their experience too; feedback like this is what helps make us one of the best coworking office spaces in Tampa Bay:

“The location is premium! At first glance it was extremely inviting. The low overhead lighting is very conducive for a less stressful working environment which produces more results. The common space is open; each office has a window and the amenities were clean and accommodating. Very pleased.” –Laraine Chulla

“Fantastic place to work! Very supportive and professional environment. I highly recommend CoCreativ.” – Molly Carey Smith

We love and appreciate every single CoCreativ members. Our team of community managers and staff, work hard to impress you and help you win at work. Ready for more business success and great networking opportunities? Give yourself the gift of new chances for growth at our virtual office space. For more information or to book a tour of our office rentals in Tampa, call us at (888) 505-6334.

"Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success." --Henry Ford

We’ve been at this so long it can be hard to remember that for many people, coworking is a new work trend. So, what is coworking? It is often seen as an alternative to working from home or renting your own office. Our members find that our shared space offers flexibility, increased productivity, and networking opportunities. Here we take a deeper look at what coworking is and whether you might benefit from it.

Coworking at a Glance

Officially, coworking is a term generally used to describe any situation in which two or more people are working in the same place together, but usually not for the same company. So instead of working remotely in separate offices, at home, or local coffee shops, entrepreneurs and telecommuters (either full time or part time) can share work space together. Cool concept right?

Started in the early 2000s in the Bay Area, coworking has grown into a global movement. It provides the benefits of your own office space, but only when you want it and it’s maintained by someone else! Plus, financially for many small businesses, coworking makes perfect sense because it’s more affordable way to rent an office.

Why Coworking?

Sure, some coworking spaces are about filling desks. But in general, it takes a communal mindset to make a coworking office truly successful. At CoCreativ, we foster a culture of family, success, and excellence in our fields. We push each other to do better every day and work together to help each other grow professionally. For us, coworking helps Tampa businesses win (not that we’re biased)!

What to Expect in a Coworking Space?

When you walk in, you won’t see row after boring row of cubicles or lifeless corporate spaces. Every coworking office is different and the interiors and amenities of each space go toward the overall vibe or culture of the office.

For example at CoCreativ, you’ll find low lighting scientifically proven to help you be more productive and of course, Wi-Fi, break room, private offices, conference rooms, open desks in our business lounge, and private quiet rooms. And, yes, we offer free Kahwa coffee.

Crushing it at the South Tampa coworking space.

Who Uses Coworking Spaces?

Some coworking spaces are built to serve a particular community. Our name would suggest that you’d only find creative types at our virtual office, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Truth is anyone who has works at home or remotely, startups, consultants, small teams, and more benefit from working this way. Our Tampa coworking offices have a blend of creatives, Attorneys, IT Consultants, health professionals, and more all working together.

You may want to consider your personality and industry when picking the right coworking space for your business. Some people find inspiration being around people in their same field, while others thrive in a varied environment with lots of perspectives. Either way, you’re surrounded by awesomeness.

What’s CoCreativ All About?

Why do we know coworking so well? Well, CoCreativ was one of Tampa’s first coworking offices. We were founded in 2013. Our team cares about our members like family and we mean it. We work hard, we play hard around our shared office. This has created the unique culture you see today. CoCreativ empowers you to win every day at work at our Tampa office locations.

Now that you’re a coworking expert, give it shot with our no long-term commitment and affordable memberships. Business lounge membership starts at just $150/month (compared to over $400 for a chair at other Tampa coworking offices). CoCreativ is one of the best virtual offices near you. Contact us to schedule a tour with a Community Manager today!

When people hear New Year’s resolutions, they often think of things like “lose weight” or “travel more” For small business owners and entrepreneurs, personal goals often coincide with professional goals. This is the perfect time to reflect on your business’ progress and create impactful New Year’s resolutions for your small business.

If you haven't made your New Year's resolutions yet, here are 6 the team at our coworking office think would be great for your business growth in 2018:

1.I will charge what I’m worth.

Do you feel like your product or service is undervalued or that you’re underpaid? If so, then this resolution will help your small business market to the right people instead of treading water speaking to the wrong customers.

It’s okay to raise your rates to be in line with the value you bring to the table! Depending on your business model, you can implement this in a couple ways:

Create package value to give prospects more choices and shift from the time spent to the value of your offering

Small discounts for client loyalty (tech companies do this all the time where you get a discount for paying for the year as opposed to month-to-month)

Once you’ve committed to charging what you’re worth, maintain the prices have the confidence not to lower your price in an effort to win new business.

2. I will promote my business regularly.

We get it, promoting your small business can often find itself at the bottom of your to-do list. But if you want to attract new customers, then you MUST make promotion a priority. As your New Year's resolution either hire a marketing expert or take the time to create a marketing plan on your own and follow through on it!

This resolution is perfect for entrepreneurs who haven’t updated their website in more than two years or made it mobile-responsive, haven't created an email marketing list, or don’t use some form of social media. Its 2018 so now is the time to promote what you do!

3. I will take time for myself.

Better work-life balance is possible and can help entrepreneurs prevent burnout. Start by setting work hours and sticking to them! Set the expectation with clients, family, and coworkers when you’re working and when you aren’t. If you don’t set these boundaries and create value around your time, then no one else will.

You can also schedule “me” time on your calendar to free up time to do the things you enjoy, and don’t push the appointment with yourself. You wouldn’t just skip a client meeting, would you?

4. I will make business planning a weekly event.

“Without a plan, you plan to fail.” For small businesses being agile is one of our top strengths so this may just be the New Year’s resolution you need to grow a healthy business. But we understand running a business can be hectic and it’s easy to get sucked into the daily operations. Business strategizing on a constant basis helps you see quickly what worked and what didn’t.

Most businesses do this only yearly or quarterly which can lead to spending longer than necessary on costly mistakes. Break out your calendar and set aside time each week to review, adjust, and look forward to the week ahead.

5. I will stop spending time on things that aren’t working.

After business strategizing, you’ll know what’s not working for your business. Don’t invest a lot of energy into trying to make the unworkable workable. If a product, technique, or business relationship isn't working for you, then move on. We swear something better is in your future.

6. I will give back to my community.

Your business isn’t the only thing that matters! Make a difference in your community by spending time on a cause that matters to you. This resolution not only makes you feel great, but community involvement can create goodwill and local advocacy for you & the business.

If you use one of these New Year's resolutions for entrepreneurs through the year, you'll be energized to make your business the success both it & you deserve!If you’re looking to make a difference in your business, tour our top Tampa coworking office. Be around like-minded entrepreneurs to help you make your 2018 business resolutions successful!

Creating a professional image is key to your success. Whether you're just starting out as an entrepreneur or a burgeoning freelancer, first impressions are crucial to gaining new clients and keeping your reputation. How you present yourself plays a very important part in making a great first impression during an initial meeting with a client or during an introduction at a networking function.

As shallow as it may seem, your physical appearance does matter. It says a lot about who are you and what you have to offer others. How you are perceived by others can make or break a deal. Giving off a strong first impression is the first step to gaining the trust of others and getting hired by the clients you hope to reach.

Think of first impressions as business etiquette. You’re setting the tone for a future business relationship and setting your expectations. You want people to see the best in you from the get-go. The three components of creating a first impression is the way you dress, the way you act and the way you speak.

According to Business Insider it takes 7 seconds to make a first impression. After that 7 seconds a mental image is formed in a person’s mind based on that first encounter. 55% of that message is transmitted by the speaker’s appearance and body language.

Following these general guidelines will set you on the path to success and getting that client to hire you!

1.) Dress the Part Clothing is ranked as one of the top things people notice first when they make an initial judgment of a person. Your image should reflect your company's personality, industry and expectations. You want people to respect you and take you seriously. An article by Forbes stated people with nicer appearances are generally thought to be more productive and have more energy. If you’re not taking care of yourself you’re perceived as undisciplined.

Fashion is a form of self-expression and should also be fun! Dress in something you feel confident, competent and comfortable in. Don’t feel you need to wear a full suit or jacket if you don’t normally wear a blazer. There are of course exceptions to the rule. When you feel comfortable and presentable you seem in control of the situation. In turn others will have more confidence in you. You’ve invested in your business and how it’s run, it’s also good business sense to invest in yourself. A powerful professional wardrobe enhances your status and can lead you towards success.

Style Tip: When in doubt, err on the conservative side and dress up for the occasion. It’s better to overdress than under dress.

2.) You Are What You WearWhen you look good, you feel good. That positive affect translates into your work and interactions with others. When you’re not focused on how you look you’re focused on your performance and others. A first impression survey conducted by Censuswide in 2016 showed a link between how people dressed and how they felt. 52.2% stated being smartly dressed made them feel confident, 35.4% said they felt positive and 31.3% said they felt professional. By dressing the part you perceive you are capable of a task and you enhance your ability to actually achieve goals. When you exude confidence you walk tall, make eye contact and shake hands firmly. People want to know you’re engaged and confident.

3.) Top Off Your Look with a SmileTalk with a smile. In most cases, you will find when you smile at a person they often smile back. Smiling is warm and inviting. It makes others feel comfortable around you and helps take off the edge. It’s important to show your client or the other person you’re happy to be there and looking forward to the opportunity ahead. Harvard Business School social psychologist, Amy Cuddy, found in her studies that when people meet the first time they judge by “how warm and trusting a person is” which tells them “what a person’s intentions are towards them.”

Be natural and authentic. A smile can also be the most memorable feature a person takes away after meeting for the first time. You want the first impression people get of your brand to be a positive one.

Managing your image helps create a great first impression, and helps you achieve your career goals and ambitions. What does your current image say about you and your business? Does your image project trustworthiness and competence or resonate with the clients you hope to reach?

Cocreativ is hosting a Dress for Success seminar at our South Tampa office space. Trust us, you won’t want to miss out on this event! Contact Andrea Romero the community manager, entrepreneur, and speaker for more details.

“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” –Helen Keller

When you start your own business or work remotely, it’s easy to feel secluded working at home alone. Sure a coffee shop gives you some human interaction, but it’s not the same as working around like-minded professionals-nor is it as beneficial.

“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” –Helen Keller

When you start your own business or work remotely, it’s easy to feel secluded working at home alone. Sure a coffee shop gives you some human interaction, but it’s not the same as working around like-minded professionals-nor is it as beneficial.

Who we choose to be around is one of the most important decisions we make in life both personally and professionally. Building relationships with other entrepreneurs is key to maintaining a successful business; making the right connections and surrounding yourself with like-minded professionals can inspire creativity and prevent work burnout.

Here are some reasons that highlight the importance of being around like-minded professionals:

Sense of community & meeting new people.Feeling isolated working remotely? Meeting people can give you new ideas and a different perspective on existing problems.

As part of a network of business professionals, you can encourage others and give business advice along the way creating a community of support. This means you have people around you to help you achieve your goals, create new possibilities, and share your accomplishments with. Additionally, you may have interests in common outside of work that can lead to lasting friendships!

Inspiration from their passion. Spending time with like-minded professionals impacts your own business mindset. Their success (or as we call them wins), perseverance, and attitude can often give you the courage to keep going.

Regardless of field, simply by being around other business owners and solopreneurs gets you excited about being one too!

Shorten the learning curve. When you start a business, there is so much to learn and little time for missteps. But generally as entrepreneurs, we learn by trial & error. By engaging with like-minded professionals, you may learn from them at a much faster rate than you would learn on your own.

Constant communication with other entrepreneurial minds may help you create and refine your ideas. It can also prevent you from investing time on unproductive tasks. The benefits are clear. By being in an environment with other entrepreneurial minds, you can make connections with people who have been there, done that, which reduces struggle & effort while saving you time and money.

Growth encourages growth. The most important aspect of connecting with other like-minded business professionals is the element of positivity. A community of entrepreneurial minds inspires a little healthy competition; their growth can stimulate yours. Remember: the people don’t have to be in the same industry as you are to be a like-minded professional, they just need to have a similar attitude.

A work community encourages you to raise others up to perform at your level. Plus, enthusiasm is contagious, and being around other businesses with the same high levels of determination serves to increase your own motivation.

Connections, connections, connections. We all do business with people we know, like, and trust. Many people will tell you ‘it’s who you know’ when it comes to getting the break your business needs.

It’s important to be around like-minded professionals so you can increase your chances of interacting with key local influencers and getting your name out there. Spending time with other entrepreneurs and remote workers can lead to great business referrals or joint client projects.

At CoCreativ, we’re entrepreneurs too and we know how important it is to surround yourself with other innovators & like-minded professionals. Simply being in this environment has the possibility of giving so much inspiration, collaboration, and business development.

Associating yourself with other successful small business owners and solopreneurs can go a long way.Want to see what we mean, schedule a tour at our Downtown or South Tampa coworking office spaces, and we’ll show you.

At CoCreativ, we believe in helping you be more productive; because when you get things done every day feels like Friday. As small business owners ourselves, we understand how easy it is to be pulled in multiple directions with your business and then feel like you’re not getting as much done as you’d like. That’s why we’re sharing our team’s favorite productivity tips to win your workday!

Productivity Tip #1: Embrace the Power of ‘No’For some people, the most productive thing they can do at work is to learn to say ‘no’. You can’t be productive when you’re taking on too much. Less is more! Instead of trying to get too much done, say no to non-essential items so you can focus on your priorities.

For example, if you don’t ‘have a second’, say when would be a better time. If you say ‘yes’, you may feel helpful, but it diverts your attention from the current task at hand. Then you’ll have to get that momentum back again. ‘Yes’ is a slippery slope that can lead to a sense of overwhelm, burn out, and could stunt the growth of your business.

Productivity Tip #2: Flip the MeetingIn a recent study, nearly 60% of Americans workers say that meetings are what get in the way of work most! If you’re in meetings most of your workday, you may notice a pattern of ‘planning the plan’ of what to get done. When this happens, you’re more likely to leave the meeting without real progress being made.

To be more productive at work, change the way you approach meetings. Flip the meeting and create a shared agenda so everyone comes prepared with their proposed action items already in place. Then based on the agenda, the team can determine if a sit-down meeting is even needed or if the meeting merits 20 minutes instead of the hour you have blocked off.

Flipping the meeting maintains focus on results and accountability for next steps, rather than rehashing tasks. Another quick tip? Simply cut all meeting times by half to keep everyone aligned on the task at hand.

Productivity Tip #3: Schedule EverythingBring a notepad with you for meetings and calls to write down any action items. This isn’t your typical to-do list though because we recommend that you schedule everything from the notes on your calendar, and then throw the list away!

When you schedule the items on your list, you can prioritize items, things don’t fall through the cracks, and you’ll get a better idea of how long your projects truly take you. The caveat is: when you’ve scheduled a project that you’re focused during that time!

Add in a 15 minute break in between items on your calendar. This way, if it takes a little longer than expected the next thing doesn’t get pushed. Plus, if you have an extra 5 minutes in between work projects, perhaps you can reward yourself with social media time or by stepping away from your desk for some fresh air.

Productivity Tip #4: Eat the Big Frog First Being productive sometimes means getting outside of our comfort zones. Brian Tracy’s book, Eat That Frog, explains that you should do the tasks on your list that you don’t want to do first.

These tedious items or harder projects may get put on the back burner in favor of other tasks that we feel more comfortable doing. Then we run the risk of never getting them done or struggling through them at the last minute fulfilling on the angst around it.

Productivity Tip #5: Review Your ProductivityIt does take some effort to become more productive. Therefore, it’s important to take time to see the results of your efforts and enjoy the feeling of accomplishment; self-reflection can go a long way!

Schedule a time block at the end of each day or week to check in with yourself on what you have on your calendar. Did you get all the tasks completed? If not, schedule more time and reprioritize projects where needed. If other people are involved with the project, communicate your progress, any delays, and next steps.​To be more productive, all the hacks and tips in the world won’t work unless you’re honest with yourself about what’s working and what’s not in your current workflows. Without self-evaluation, you can’t determine what you can feasibly get done during the work week.Ready to see work results like never before? Honestly, simply being around like-minded business owners is the best way to get things done and succeed in your business. Give us a call at 1-888-505-OFFICE to see the difference in your work productivity when you work at a CoCreativ Tampa virtual office!

If Super Bowl Sunday is for big business - what can small business owners learn from their these large advertisers? Marketing STRATEGY!

Super Bowl Sunday is the day that some wait for all year long! It’s not a holiday…but in some households it certainly is treated like one. It’s not just about football…right? It’s about the commercials, the parties, the food and friends.

Kroger’s research tells us that Super Bowl Sunday is the second largest food consumption day behind Thanksgiving!

And what about the pressure for the advertisers that purchase air time during the Super Bowl. Businesses have skyrocketed from their Super Bowl commercials…and some have been criticized so heavily that they have lost business.

Here’s a comparison for you at just how costly a Super Bowl commercial commitment has become…a Super Bowl commercial can cost in excess of $160,000 a second to produce…compare that to the making of Star Wars: The Force Awakens which cost only $25,000 a second to produce.

But the commercial is not the only part of the Super Bowl advertising that you should be paying attention to as a business owner. What you should be paying close attention to is the work that goes into the pre and post commercial spot. Learn from the marketing and advertising strategy that is used.

The social media teasers on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube are the precursor to the expensive Super Bowl commercials. Every business who purchased air time during the Super Bowl has to take advantage of the pre and post time that their commercial will bring them.

As a small business owner…think of the Super Bowl as your launch. Think about the pre-launch work you do to get people excited about your new product, service or product. Then there is the work that goes into the actual launch and maintaining your momentum post launch as well.

As a small business owner – how can you use some of the marketing and advertising ideas that big businesses use during Super Bowl Month? Think outside the box about how you can re-purpose their ideas to fit within your small business strategy.

What changes both personally and professionally have you already noticed from working at CoCreativ?

“We have already seen increased productivity, which has left us time to focus on OUR own marketing!”​TAMA, FL – CoCreativ member Jonathan Sellers, Co-Founder of Illuminate Local, was originally drawn to CoCreativ because of the location, flexibility and welcoming environment.

Illuminate Local is a fast growing technology startup that offers small-scale business solutions that address the four areas of digital marketing ----- Presence, Reputation, Social, and Reach.

You can contact Jonathan Sellers at (423) 834-5334 for more information about Illuminate Local or visit their website at http://www.IlluminateLocal.com

##CoCreativ Virtual Office in Tampa, FL, provides virtual offices, meeting rooms and Day Offices for small businesses with 1-4 employees who are cash flow positive. Their #1 selling product is the 10x10 private office with no lease, no contract, and 24/7 access --- starting at $399 per month. To find out more, visit: www.CoCreativ.com

CoCreativ Virtual Office in Tampa, FL, provides virtual offices, meeting rooms and Day Offices for small businesses with 1-4 employees who are cash flow positive. Their #1 selling product is the 10x10 private office with no lease, no contract, and 24/7 access --- starting at $399 per month. To find out more, visit: www.CoCreativ.com

]]>Mon, 11 Jan 2016 15:37:06 GMThttp://www.cocreativ.com/blog/open-house-for-salve-aesthetic-solutionsCoCreativ Member Bea Hunter-Edman of Salvé Aesthetic Solutions held her Open House this past weekend at CoCreativ and we just had so share...Great Event!